What are Advantages of running Car tires vs Kendas tires ?

[Rotaxer]

So the Kumho Ecsta AST 215/60/15 is a good choice and proper size replacement for the OEM Kenda? For over $500 dollars for the OEM replacement at my only local Spyder Dealer (which the original only lasted 12,500 kms) I will take my chances on a better constructed, cheaper (cost not quality) tire that may last 3 times as long. I will also change myself and save the $323.00 labour they want to gouge me!

 

[Firefly]

What are Advanages of running Car tires vs Kandas tires ?

I'm thrilled with my Potenza's for the fronts. Ran the Dragon today in the rain and they were great!


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[Cavman]

I got Potenza's installed last week and for the first time I have really enjoyed riding my RT. I'm not dreading the Elvis Syndrome when I get on the bike. It's a wonderful smooth ride. I've also noticed I'm not worn out with the smooth ride as with the OEMs being defective.

 

[Rotaxer]

I got Potenza's installed last week and for the first time I have really enjoyed riding my RT. I'm not dreading the Elvis Syndrome when I get on the bike. It's a wonderful smooth ride. I've also noticed I'm not worn out with the smooth ride as with the OEMs being defective.

Is that on the front, back or both? And which Potenza's and what sizes?

 

[Firefly]

What are Advanages of running Car tires vs Kandas tires ?

Potenza's for fronts only. Same size as originals.


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[Bob Denman]

We'll.. I'm not in the insurance business, but I have totaled a Spyder and dealt with the claim. There was zero interest in what tires I was using.

*BING*
:agree: The only time that anybody is going to take a closer look at what happened, is if there's a fatality and the State LEOs get to poking around...:shocked:
The insurance companies are "dis-interested" in collecting that kind of information... :thumbup:

 

[chisel_maker]

PSI

Potenza's for fronts only. Same size as originals.


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What PSI are you using in those

 

[Firefly]

What are Advanages of running Car tires vs Kandas tires ?

What PSI are you using in those

20 - 21 lbs seems good.


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[jerpinoy]

This issue is a very good informative to all. The only clear thing I see on my front tires are raised letters
" for motorcycle only". meaning I can't use these tires for car.

What stopping us in using car tires? I'll follow the people who have used them and gave a good results.

 

[BajaRon]

This issue is a very good informative to all. The only clear thing I see on my front tires are raised letters
" for motorcycle only". meaning I can't use these tires for car.

What stopping us in using car tires? I'll follow the people who have used them and gave a good results.

Exactly!

The OEM Kendas are a Car Tire in every respect except that they aren't built strong enough to carry the weight of a car. That's why the bead sealing issue is so laughable. The rubber compound is softer than most car tires except for high performance versions and they are directional, which tends to shed water better. But you can get car tires with these features as well.

Personally, I don't see any downside to putting the RIGHT car tires on a Spyder.

 

[Ex-Rocket]

I tried to not post about this subject but I just can't help myself. There will always be those that think running car tires on our bikes are the wrong thing to do and that the tires are going to fly off the rims or something. Well they won't, trust me. I belong to another forum when I rode a 2 wheel bike and the debate would go on and on about those that thought running a car tire was the most awful thing your could do to a bike. I had a car tire on my 2 wheel bike for almost 30,000 miles with no ill effects whatever. The bike cornered just as well with a car tire verus a regular bike tire. So I know the debate will go on and on but when I need new tires for my :spyder2:, I know what I'm going to do.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

CAR TIRES ON TWO WHELL MTC'S ? ? ?

I tried to not post about this subject but I just can't help myself. There will always be those that think running car tires on our bikes are the wrong thing to do and that the tires are going to fly off the rims or something. Well they won't, trust me. I belong to another forum when I rode a 2 wheel bike and the debate would go on and on about those that thought running a car tire was the most awful thing your could do to a bike. I had a car tire on my 2 wheel bike for almost 30,000 miles with no ill effects whatever. The bike cornered just as well with a car tire verus a regular bike tire. So I know the debate will go on and on but when I need new tires for my :spyder2:, I know what I'm going to do.

IMHO I think you were very lucky with your experience with car tires on a two wheel MTC........I am a strong advocate for them on Spyders ...Because Spyders do not Physically ride the same way 2 wheelers do....Spyders TIRES ride FLAT like a car......MTC tires have to ROLL onto the side edge when turning and CAR tires are not designed to do that.........I think you were Lucky........Mike :thumbup:

 

[KX5062]

Been lurking and thought I'd post on this thread because I'm in the market for tires. Sorry for the length, but I'm kinda free flowing with my thoughts.

First of all, the rear tire. I have an 08 GS with about 13k miles and rear tire is toast. I ordered the Falken over the Kumho or OEM. My logic is as follows: I chose the Falken because the on-line reviews (on automotive boards) gave them higher marks in overall terms, especially in rain and snow. Also, the Falken brand is a higher end brand, being part of the Dunlop tire company and was originally developed as a higher end Japanese tire company.

I didn't go with OEM for several reason. As a long time m/c rider I am not impressed with nor care for Kenda tires. Generally speaking they are at or near the bottom of the food chain. My observations about the rear tire on my Spyder is the same. The wear pattern and life is not acceptable for what it is. Also, when originally mounted (at the factory) it took a ton of weights to get it balanced, which also can indicate poor quality control when manufactured and tends to reenforce my original opinions.

The front: Again, they appear to be rather low quality Kendas, which I'm sure was chosen for their price point by bean counters at BRP. (No knock, just an observation common to all big companies.) The wear patterns are indicative of either bad caster/camber alignment or poor tire quality. Since weird tire wear is a common complaint, there must be something to it. Also, having uni-directional tires it prevents rotation, which would help extend tire life.

The Potenza is a good tire and a viable option, however, if you change the size to a 185 60R14, there is a bunch of other high quality tires available. The overall size is almost identical, being wider and taller by only a fraction of an inch, so I doubt the nanny would have any issues and it appears the fenders clear without interference. However, before making that change: any comments, experiences, etc? I haven't seen anything that specifically addresses this particular question, and yes, I've looked.

I personally think the handling of the Spyder would be improved with improved quality tires.:2thumbs:

 

[gypsy_100]

(Original Post edited for brevity)

5. I and others who have used car tires do mention price. I can only speak for myself but I don't get car tires because they are cheaper. I get CERTAIN car tires because I THINK they have the potential to be better. I DO NOT think all car tires are superior to the Kenda's.

I would pay more than OEM price if I thought that it was a superior tire. Traction, control and performance are very important to me and I'm not going to willingly compromise these to save a few bucks every few years. The reason I mention price is simply that I see it as an added bonus.

I agree completely with your philosophy, especially for wet conditions. Long distance touring means you will be riding in the rain, sometimes lots of it. So, bottom line Ron, what are your personal choices for front and rear -- make and model, size, and pressure?

 

[BajaRon]

No problems running the 185 60R14. You have to modify the front fenders a bit but it's easily done.

 

[Motorcycledave]

CAR TIRES on a bike

Well everyone has some opinion on this subject here is mine...
motorcycle rims have a slightly different mounting area on the rim for the
bead than car rims do however the difference is nil....
I have run Car Tires on the rear of my ST1300 and my ST100 for years
they call that ( going to the dark side) the car tires out perform the bike tires
in mileage only, they are not quite as good in cornering as a bike tire.
The Spyder is not a bike it does not lean the beads surfaces on the rims are
virtually the same as a car so I see no reason not to use them if the price is right
and the tire quality is as good as OEM tires.
Just saying
Dave

 

[blambert]

I have the 185/60 kuhmo Elstra platinum up front had to shim a little but tires are working great

 

[KX5062]

I have the 185/60 kuhmo Elstra platinum up front had to shim a little but tires are working great

Shim up how? Up? Side to side?


As a side note, I now have about 1k miles on the automotive rear tire and I'm totally sold on this tire. Other than testing in bad weather, it works much better than the original Kenda. I'm another happy camper. :thumbup:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

OR YOU CAN DO THIS

Shim up how? Up? Side to side?


As a side note, I now have about 1k miles on the automotive rear tire and I'm totally sold on this tire. Other than testing in bad weather, it works much better than the original Kenda. I'm another happy camper. :thumbup:

The real issue is not the height of the fender to the tire ....it's the alignment of the fender to the tire....If you have a DREMEL tool, buy the CARBIDE CUTTER they sell for the tool about $8. It does not drill holes, it cuts sideways and is perfect for ENLARGING holes ( it will last you forever ).....To do this you must remove the fender from the brackets....take the tire off and this becomes easy.....Removing the brackets is a real pain and is not necessary if you start by taking off the tire.....also the bracket is held in place because it's still bolted to the suspension....All this becomes obvious after you re-move tire/wheel and then the fender...You will want to move the fenders out away from the spyder because with the wider tire the outside edge is where it might rub.....As you look down at the bracket and the mounting holes you will want to elongate / widen them to the outside ( right on right bracket...left on left bracket )....you only need to go 1/8 to 3/16 inch to make a hugh difference in the way the tire will fit. Raising the fender with washers /shims etc. really doesn't quite work, I know because I did that first.......doing it this way is only a little more difficult and looks like it was made for this size tire ( 185/60-14 )....Don't ask for pictures I didn't take any while I was doing this.....PS, by leaving the fender brackets mounted you won't have to un-do the wires A.P.I.T.A**....PPS if you re-move the mud flap the tire/wheel comes off way easier...................Hope this helps someone out .......Mike...:thumbup:

 

[KX5062]

Got it, Knight. Makes perfect sense.